What is CAS?

CAS, an abbrevation for 'creatity,' 'action,' and 'service,' is an essential component of the International Baccalaureate Programme. It provides a balance to the academically challenging course by requiring students to spend a minimum of 150 hours on their CAS activities througout their Diploma session. Students are expected to participate in activities that will develop their characters creatively, physically and socially. It is more than just social service, and it is a vital part of the Programme, serving to shape the student into a well-rounded person.

CAS aims to give students the opportunity to learn through experience and gain a wholesome and rounded educational experience. The three components, creativty, service, and action, are vaguely defined and should be interpreted as creatively as possible in order to participate in a wide variety of fulfilling activities. More important than the hours put in are the learning outcomes that are accomplished through these activities, as these are indicators as to how meaningful and helpful the activity was towards your personal development.

Students are required to keep track of their activities and maintain their records systematically and accurately. These must be recorded in a log or journal along with proof that the student actually particpated in the activity. This allows students to keep a coherent track of their CAS activities and provide comprehensive documentation of their CAS experience.

I personally, have decided to make a web blog in addition to my log, as it is interesting and different. It is also fun, and it allows me to better express myself through texts, videos and images. It can also be accesed easily by friends, teachers, supervisors, and whoever wants a glimpse into my CAS experience.